| Canal de la Sensée | |
|---|---|
 The Bassin Rond - a small artificial lake where the Escaut meets the Canal de la Sensée near Estrun | |
 Interactive map of Canal de la Sensée | |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 25 km (16 mi)[1] |
| History | |
| Current owner | VNF |
| Principal engineer | Augustin Honnorez |
| Date approved | 1806 |
| Construction began | 1819 |
| Date completed | 1820 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Scarpe nearDouai[2] |
| End point | Scheldt inHordain[2] |
| Beginningcoordinates | 50°20′22″N3°03′12″E / 50.3395°N 3.0534°E /50.3395; 3.0534 |
TheCanal de la Sensée (French pronunciation:[kanaldəlasɑ̃se]) is a canal in northernFrance. The project was developed under Napoleon. In March 1806, the imperial government gave orders to build a canal which would link theScarpe River and theEscaut River (English:Scheldt). The work was commenced under the direction ofAugustin Honnorez in June 1819 and the Sensée canal was opened to navigation in November 1820. At that time the boats were pulled by men or horses working for boat employers. Shortly after World War I 1914-1918, horses were replaced by tractors.
The Canal de la Sensée forms part of theCanal Dunkerque-Escaut route.